1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the central theme of the book
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in middle
occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes
will hold the conference in the central part of the country in order to encourage delegates from both coasts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in moderate
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
with all of the attention being paid to the party's right and left wings, the vast central core has been largely ignored
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
a health club that has become dating central for singles in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of central
Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 19 May 2025
Glasner has used the 3-4-3 in every game this season, and a back three is well-suited to playing against two central attackers.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025
One other central, if not overriding, purpose of Holocaust remembrance, however, must be to think of the millions who were annihilated not as impersonal statistics but as individuals with names, faces, identities, dreams, and emotions.
—Menachem Z. Rosensaft, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for central
Adjective
The late Pope Francis made immigrants and the poor a central focus of his papacy.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 19 May 2025
Glasner has used the 3-4-3 in every game this season, and a back three is well-suited to playing against two central attackers.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Noun
Both factors can turn them into germ-central under the right conditions.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025
One other central, if not overriding, purpose of Holocaust remembrance, however, must be to think of the millions who were annihilated not as impersonal statistics but as individuals with names, faces, identities, dreams, and emotions.
—Menachem Z. Rosensaft, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for central
Recent Examples of Synonyms for central
Adjective
-
This addition sees another key member of the iconic D-Generation X (DX) faction contributing behind the scenes, joining Triple H, who heads main roster creative, Shawn Michaels, who is in charge of NXT creative, and Road Dogg, currently working as a co-lead writer for WWE SmackDown.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
-
Two main issues are conveyed: No credible debt management approach exists.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
While on the road - Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 May 2025
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
While improvements in jobs and wages would likely underpin a moderate economic recovery, Akazawa said that risks remained in consumer sentiment and consumption from sustained price hikes.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
16 May 2025
-
AbbVie's performance, when initially compared to the benchmark S&P 500 index across the aforementioned parameters, appears moderate.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
The city also offers a tourist train for five euros that runs about every hour, connecting the historic center with the two main beach areas (Platja de la Grava and Platja de l’Arenal).—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2025
-
Gigabyte has made a concerted effort to capitalize on the AI gold rush of the last two or three years, aggressively making and selling AI data center hardware.—
Brian Westover,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
It's led by a 200-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide, with a 12-megapixel selfie camera.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
13 May 2025
-
Arriving first responders conducted a primary assessment of the scene and learned that two people were trapped in a Toyota Corolla, officials said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Wynn Resorts is currently nearing the halfway point of its construction on the $5 billion casino development.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
7 May 2025
-
At the halfway point, your weekly split became dead even: 35 minutes walking, 35 running.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Only your employer's profit sharing, safe harbor and matching contribution must go into the traditional 401(k) account.—
David Rae,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
Known for its bold yellow hue and long history in traditional medicine, turmeric has caught the attention of researchers for one surprising reason: its potential to help lower cholesterol.—
Jennifer Moll,
Verywell Health,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
The home is in the central part of the state about 70 miles west of Lincoln, the state capital.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
The fixture list added further intrigue to that race, Atalanta facing Roma on Monday evening while Juve headed to the Italian capital on Saturday evening to take on a Lazio side that was on a six-game unbeaten run.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/central. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share